What do you do about a cough that just won’t go away? Most Americans run out and buy a different brand of cough syrup, or schedule a follow-up doctor’s appointment. But there are some turning to alternative therapies, such as homeopathy, for treatment and overall health care.

Homeopathy, from the Greek words homeo (meaning “similar”) and pathos (meaning “suffering”) is based on the premise that the body is its own healing force, and diluted substances – from plants and minerals – have the power to heal the body’s problems, prevent poor health and make the body’s immune system stronger. The homeopathic approach, popular in Europe and rapidly gaining a following in the United States, takes an individual’s lifestyle and personality into account.

About HomeopathyThe basis for homeopathy, a principle developed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann more than two centuries ago, is that an illness can be cured by re-introducing a diluted form of the illness back into the body. He believed small substances of a remedy, derived from plants or minerals, act like the symptoms of the illness or problem, and will aid the body in healing itself.

“Let likes cure likes,” Hahnemann once said to describe the concept.

Hahnemann believed that the more a substance was diluted, the greater its effect on healing. He touted the “law of similars,” in which the root of an illness may also hold the cure.

But what is the difference between homeopathy and traditional medicine?

The National Center for Homeopathy describes a healthy person as one who is “free” on all levels: physical, emotional and mental. Traditional medicine allows that a healthy person is free of disease, and therein lies a fundamental difference between medicine and homeopathy.

Who Uses Homeopathy?The World Health Organization lists homeopathy as the most commonly practiced form of alternative medicine. Many Americans who turn to homeopathy do so because they are unsuccessful with traditional medical treatments. Those with chronic diseases, or recurring problems, sometimes report having success with homeopathy, after being unsuccessful with modern science-based medicine. Homeopathy, by comparison, takes into account the entire health of the individual, and does not focus on just one trouble spot.

Homeopathy continues to pick up more support from people interested in alternative health care and practitioners looking for more ways to serve their patients. More than $200 million was spent on homeopathic medicine in the 1995, and that rate was growing by about 20 percent per year, according to the American Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association.

Homeopathy focuses on total body wellness, with the premise that some health problems build on others. Scientists agree the body naturally responds to try to heal itself. A fever, for example, is the body’s response to infection. The body temperature rises to a temperature high enough to kill the elements causing the infection.

Similarly, homeopathy looks to the body’s natural resources to combat the infection. It also takes into account that each person reacts differently in the presence of illness. As explained by The National Center for Homeopathy, two people may appear to have the same cough, but may in fact have very different ailments affecting their health.

Therefore, the total body, mind and spirit of the individual is taken into consideration in a homeopathic approach to healing.

Homeopathic RemediesA homeopathic remedy will usually be prescribed in just one area, with the aim of restoring total health. Remedies are made from minerals, plants and wholly natural substances, but dilution is the key. Many substances are diluted so much that barely a trace remains. Some remedies include benign ingredients such as chamomile; others are literally caustic, like hemlock, which can evoke shock and even fear among those considering homeopathic treatment.

What Problems Can It Help?Results on whether or not homeopathy works has been contradictory. Homeopathy professionals attest to a wide variety of health issues that can be addressed using homeopathic standards. They include fibromyalgia, asthma, mood swings, allergies, migraine headaches, ear infections, anxiety, depression, digestive problems, infertility and arthritis, among others. The list of illnesses and health problems homeopathy has been linked to includes post traumatic stress, colic, eczema and many childhood illnesses. Again, while scientific evidence is often questioned in these cases, studies continue to be implemented to find out more.

How Do I Find a Homeopath?Each state has its own licensing laws regarding homeopaths. Just like medical doctors and nurses, those who practice homeopathy are required to be licensed. Check with the National Center for Homeopathy for a listing in your state or region. Interestingly, there is more crossover between those in the traditional medical field and the homeopathy industry than people think. In 2000, a study of pharmacists revealed that the majority were interested in learning more about homeopathy, both to improve their knowledge and to help their patients.

Many homeopaths in the United States are also medically trained physicians who took additional training in homeopathy. Others simply take a certificate or other specialized training program in the field. Currently, there are three states – Arizona, Nevada and Connecticut – that offer licenses to physicians who specialize in homeopathy.

Your first appointment with a homeopath is likely to take more than an hour, as information about your lifestyle, overall health and mental status are assessed.

Is Homeopathy Safe?Not surprisingly, homeopathy has its share of critics, and has encountered numerous bumps along the way to acceptance. But Dr. Samuel Hahnemann’s principles have also garnered a healthy crowd of supporters, including a number of clinical trials that show promise with homeopathic treatments. Still, the science of homeopathy remains largely a mystery, and more studies are under way to determine if and how, biologically, the homeopathic system works within the body.

Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine supports research on the effectiveness of homeopathy in several areas. For example, it has put forward funding for homeopathy’s effect on fibromyalgia, a painful muscle condition that has perplexed scientists and physicians, and is seeing a surge in diagnoses across the country. Dementia, the brain and prostate health are two additional areas currently being studied in the homeopathic arena.

Is It Regulated?While the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the contents of homeopathic remedies(they are treated basically the same as over-the-counter drugs), there are standards regarding strength, quality and packaging that guide homeopathic practitioners and products. Homeopathic treatments generally contain such miniscule amounts of plants and minerals that none is considered particularly dangerous.

With the number of health-conscious Americans are at an all-time high, alternative therapies are seeing a surge in interest. Yet most alternative therapies, including homeopathy, don’t have science on their side. That could change as more studies are completed, but in the meantime, be your own advocate for your health. As with all information related to health, consult with your doctor and read all you can to feel assured about your medical decisions.

Do You Have A Balanced Lifestyle?A balanced lifestyle means that no one aspect of life overshadows the others. Health, career, and relationships are all important and are all maintained on a regular basis. Someone who is balanced takes time to exercise, but not at the expense of important family events. Are you the center of the scale or is one aspect of your life taking over the rest? Take our quiz and find out!